Federal Judge Orders Full SNAP Benefits as Delaware Faces Crisis

UPDATE: A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore full SNAP benefits by November 3, 2023, as Delaware families face mounting food insecurity. This urgent ruling comes as residents line up outside the Wilmington YMCA, desperately seeking support amid a federal government shutdown that has left many without vital assistance.

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer declared a state of emergency last week, allowing the state to issue partial SNAP payments starting Friday. However, uncertainty looms as the Department of Justice plans to appeal the judge’s decision, leaving approximately 118,200 Delawareans in limbo.

One affected mother, Janasia Copling, expressed her distress: “It really blindsided us,” she said, revealing that her family has yet to receive their November benefits. With her husband working part-time and her own employment status uncertain, they depend on the program to afford groceries. “Everything is super high already,” Copling added.

The SNAP program, which supports around 42 million Americans, is a critical lifeline for families struggling to make ends meet. The recent freeze on benefits was part of a political standoff where the Trump administration aimed to leverage SNAP funding against Democratic demands for Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies.

As the situation develops, state lawmakers, including New Castle County Executive Marcus Henry and Wilmington Mayor John Carney, joined volunteers to distribute food at the YMCA. They emphasized the devastating impact of the shutdown on families facing impossible choices between feeding their children and paying other bills.

State Senator Darius Brown condemned the ongoing crisis, stating, “Delaware families should never have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.” He urged community solidarity to ensure that “no child, no senior citizen, and no working parent goes hungry.”

The Rhode Island district judge’s ruling mandates the use of a Department of Agriculture emergency contingency fund to fulfill SNAP obligations for November, which the Trump administration had previously tried to minimize due to the government shutdown.

Crystal FitzSimons, president of the Food Research & Action Center, expressed relief over the ruling, stating, “It never should have gotten to this point.” She highlighted that the administration had the authority to issue full benefits from the start but chose not to act.

As the appeal unfolds, Delawareans are left waiting anxiously for clarity on their food assistance, with many families already feeling the strain of the ongoing crisis.

For continuous updates on this developing story, stay tuned to WHYY News.